The Redskins’ trade with St. Louis left some lingering questions and answers:
Did the Redskins give up players who could turn out to be like Trent Williams, Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo (all three were first-round picks) or Jarvis Jenkins (a second-rounder)?
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First, not all are Pro Bowl players or even proven. Second, if they take Robert Griffin III and he succeeds, the Redskins would be drafting in the 20s next year or in 2014. Orakpo and Kerrigan were top-16 picks; Williams was fourth overall. These are not the players they will be missing on (unless Griffin bombs).
Here’s the last five players the Redskins drafted in the second half of the first round: Jason Campbell (25th), Patrick Ramsey (32nd), Kenard Lang (17th), Tom Carter (17th) and Bobby Wilson (17th). Going back further, Darrell Green (28th), Mark May (20th) and Art Monk (18th) also were selected in the second half of the first round, but that would blow the theory. The point remains: The draft is even more of a gamble after the top-16 picks.
Why so much this year?
The Redskins gave up more than others had in the past to move up so few spots. But other teams — with similar urgency — were involved, driving up the price. Also, in years past moving up also meant a far greater cost in terms of salary. With a rookie wage scale, that’s no longer an issue. Teams are willing to surrender a little bit more.
How can they fill other holes in future years?
They have approximately $40 million in cap space this year and have managed future years well. Free agency alone has never been the answer, but it does help. Also, shrewd organizations win. Between 1971 and 1991, the Redskins won 17 playoff games and three Super Bowls. They had four first-round picks in this span. You can draft well after the first round.
Does this mean the Rams thought Sam Bradford was a better quarterback than Griffin?
Not necessarily. The Rams already have a guy who is a potential franchise quarterback. Why take another when you have so many other needs? Plus, the cost to unload Bradford in terms of salary cap is exorbitant. It made sense to keep him.
– John Keim
